Fluorescent lamp attachment for a ladder



June 28, 1960 .1. E. SEN-AY FLUORESCENT LAMP ATTACHMENT FOR A LADDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 19, 195'! INVENTOR JOSEPH E. SEA/A r,

By. 7% M v his Attorney.

June 28, 1960 J. E. SENAY FLUORESCENT LAMP ATTACHMENT FOR A LADDER /N VENTOR JOSEPH E. SEN/1),

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1957 1- WMZZ, W

his A fiomey FLUORESCENT LAMP ATTACHMENT FOR A LADDER Joseph E. Senay, 1074 Banksville Road, Pittsburgh, la. Filed Feb, 19, 1957, Ser. No. 641,122 1. Qle m -2 This invention relates to a fluorescent lamp attachment for a ladder and more particularly for an attachment which may be attached to the sidepiece of a ladder. In buildings, especially large office buildings having fluorescent lighting, it is necessary for a workman to spend a large proportion of his time'changing burnt out lamps. For this purpose the workman usually has a hand truck on which he carries the lamps and a folding ladder. When he reaches the room where a lamp is burnt out he sets up his ladder, grasps a good lamp in one hand and then climbs the ladder, holding on with one hand. During this procedure it is not uncommon for the lamp to break. When the workman is in position to take out the lamp and replace it he experiences great diificulty since he only has one hand to handle each lamp. Because of the diificulties experienced in this procedure the workman often climbs the ladder with his hands free, takes out the burnt out lamp, climbs down, exchanges the burnt lamp with a good lamp and then climbs the ladder a second time. This, while'isafer, is a time-consuming operation. It is also necessary' to take out the lamps periodically and clean them. This is also diflicult because the hands are not free when climbing down with the dirty lamps or climbing up with clean lamps.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a fluorescent lamp attachment for a ladder which will perrnit a workman to remove or replace fluorescent lamps safely and expeditiously.

This and other objects will :be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folding ladder with my attachment secured thereto;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a clamp or bracket usedat the top of the ladder;

Figure 3 is a view taken on the line Hie-Hi of Fig- .ure-Z;

Figure 4 is a view taken on the line lV--lV of Figure -2;

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing two parts of the clamp of Figure 2 in assembled relationship;

Figure 6 is an exploded :the clamp of Figure -2; f

Figure 7 isa perspective view of a slight modification of one member of the clamp 0f-Figure-2;

Figure 8 is a perspective .view of another embodiment o a lamp;

Figure 9 is a perspective view .of a support at the lower part of the-ladder; and

Figure 10 is a view, partly in section, of a modified support.

Referring more particularly to thedrawings, reference numeral 2 indicates a folding ladder having .thelusual dened .to the outside .of the same sidepiece 4 some disperspective view of part of 2,942,830 Patented June 2 8 196Q spring jaws 18. The front member 12 has a'stationa-ry central jaw 20 fastened thereto and extending onward} 1y from the sidepiece 4. The outer end of jaw 29) has an enlarged portion 22 which may be formed by bendiiig the end thereof as shown. The top and bottom sides of mem r are be e a y o o m u d s 2 A 1 12 is md i -mem 12 o an s d o ja 20. b Each of the jaws .18 has a flange 28 at its inner end with a hole 30 therein. The main portion of jaw 18 is concave on the side facing jaw 20 so that the distance between the jaws 18 and 20 at their outer ends is less than the distance therebetween a short distance from their outer ends. The extreme end 32 of the jaw 18 is bent outwardly away from jaw 20 so that the opening between jaw's 18 and 20 is flared to better receive the lamp F. The jaws 18 and 29 may be coated with a plastic or rubber material to prevent scratching the lamps F; As shown in Figure 6 a rectangular nut 34 has a reduced width portion 36 which is readily received .in slot 26 but which cannot turn therein. In assembling each of the jaws 18 on the member 12 the nut 34 is abutted against the rearward side of member 12 with its reduced portion 36 passing through slot 26 and hole 30 and a screw 38 with a washer 40 thereon is threaded artisan '34. Each of the ,L-shaped members 14 has a rearwardl'y' extending leg 42 with a threaded hole 44 therein and two spaced apart legs 46 adapted to" be received in guides 24. 'Each of the members 16 has a forwardly extending leg 48, a rearwardly extending leg 50 A screw 60 is passed through each of the slots 58 threaded into hole 44. A screw 62 is then threaded into holes 52 and drawn up tight to lock the clamp in'the'desired position on thesidepiece 4. The telescoping relationship of the members 14 in the member 12 enables .the clamp to be adjusted for various widths'of sidepieces 4 and the telescoping relationship of 'meiznbers14' and 16 enables the clamp to be adjusted for various thicknesses of sidepieces 4. The jaws 518 may bemoved toward and away from jaw 20 and locked in place so that lamps F of various diameters may be securely held.

Instead of having two intermediate members 14 a frontmember 12' may be provided-having a re'arwardl'y extending leg 42 'as shown in Figure 7. This member 12 takes the place of front member 12 and on of the intermediate members 14 with the leg 42' corresponding to leg '42 of member 14. The construction and operation of the clamp is otherwise thesame' as in the first embodiment. a l

Figure 8 shows a clamp :8 which is much simpler in construction than clamp 8' but which is not adjustable for various sizeso'f lamps. The clamp 8' consists of' two outer jaws 18' and a central 'jaw 20 which are ofthe same general construction as jaws 18 and 20. As shown .the clamp-Wis made .of a single piece of material, preferfflanges 82 at its ends.

ably spring-like metal, with the central jaw 20 being formed of two legs 64 of the material. 66 may be passed through holes in the legs 64 to hold them closely together. The jaws 18' and 20' areconnected by, portions 68,having holes 70 therein. In. assembling the clamp 8' on a ladder, holes may be drilled in the sidepiece 4 at the desired position and bolts passed i a pair of inverted conical sockets for receiving one end A screw or rivet therethrough and through holes 70 to lock the clamp in V place. Where the sidepiece is made of wood a wood screw may be passed through each of'the holes threaded into the wood. t

As shown in Figure 9 the bottom consists of two sockets 72each having an inverted conicallower I portion 74. and a cylindrical upper portion '16. 1A..pa.1r

of spaced apart flanges .78 are fastened to;the outsideof the upper portion 76 for receiving astrap 80 which has The flanges 82tabut. against the sidepiece 4 and have openings therein for receiving screws and a flange, 96"at its'upper end which is bentinwardly after the member 88 is placed in the cylinder. A. U-. shaped member or channel 98 maybefastcned to the outside of cylinder 94 for receiving the strap 80. I r a With the members 8 and 10 fastened to the sidepiece 4 in thedesired position the workman can place one or two lamps F in the bottom sockets and force the jaws 18 and 20 apart to receive the upper part of the lamps F and grip them to prevent outward movement thereof. Hishands are thenfree while he climbs theladder and removes the burntout lamp. If only one lamp is in the attachment he may place the burnt out lamp therein and have both hands free to take out the good lamp and place it in the ceiling socket. Otherwise he must hold the burnt out lamp in one hand and pull out a good one.

While it is preferred to have the arrangement shown the top clamp could be closed rather thanopen. In this case the workman would pull the lamp upwardly rather than outwardly. With the socket shown in Figure 10 it is possible to use a socket, suchas shown in Figure 9,

in upside down position in place of clamp 8. This is poslsible'since the spring 92 permits the socket 88 to be pushed downwardly with the lamp P so that the'upper par-t of-the lamp F can be positioned below the bottom of the upper socket and then raised when the spring 92 expands;

While several embodiments of my invention have been i shown and described it will be apparent that other adapta- -;a pair of'inverted conical sockets for receiving one end' ladder having a sidepiece, a

of fluorescent lamps, and a top bracket attached to said sidepiece above said bottom support, said top. bracket ineluding a center jaw and a pair of resilient curved side aws one on each side of said center jaw, the maximum distance between-the center jawand each side jaw being only slightly'greater than the diameter of said lamps and the distance between the center jaw and each side jaw at ;;t l1eir forwardends being less than the, diameter of 'said fluorescent lamps whereby the upper end of said fluorescentlampsmaybe gripped between the jaws.

2. In combination with a ladder having a sidepiece, a bottom support attached to said sidepiece a considerablev distance fiom the top thereof, said bottom support having of fluorescent lamps, and a top bracket attached to said sidepiece above said bottom support, said top bracket including means for attaching said bracket to said sidepiece, -a center jaw and a pair of resilient curved side jaws mounted for movement toward and away from said center jaw one on each'side of said center jaw, the maximum distance between the center jaw and each side jaw being only slightly greater than the diameter of said lamps and the distance between the center jaw and each side jaw at their forward ends being less than the diameter of said fluorescent lampswhereby the upper end of said fluorescent lamps may be gripped between the jaws.

3. In combinationwitha ladder having a sidepiece, a bottom support attached to said sidepiece a considerable distance from the top thereof, said bottom support having a pair of inverted conical sockets for receiving one end of fluorescent lamps, said sockets being slidably mouuted in said support, resilient means for urging said sockets upwardly, and a top bracket attached to said sidepiece above said bottom support, said bracket'including a center jaw and a pair'of resilient curved side jaws one on each side of said center jaw, the maximum distance between the center jaw and each side jaw being only slightly greater than the diameter of said lamps and the distancebetween the center jaw and each side jaw at their forward ends being less than the diameter of said fluorescent lamps whereby the upper end of said fluorescent lamps maybe gripped between the jaws.

4. In combination with a ladder having a sidepiece, a bottom support attached to said sidepiece a-considerable distance from the top thereof, said'bottom support having a pair of invertedconical sockets for receiving one'end of fluorescent lamps, said sockets being slidably mounted in said support, resilient means for urging said sockets upwardly, and a top bracket attached to said sidepiece above said bottom support, said top bracket including means for attaching said bracket to said sidepiece, a center jaw. and a pair of resilient curved side jaws mounted for movement toward and away from said center jaw one on each side of said center jaw, the maximum distance between the center jaw and each side jaw being only slightly greater than the diameter of said'lamps' and the distance between the "center jaw and each side jaw at their forward ends being less than the diameter of said fluorescent lamps whereby the upper end of said fluorescent lamps may be gripped between the jaws.

*5. In combination with a ladder having a sidepiece, a bottom support attached to said sidepiece a considerable distance from the top thereof, said bottom support having an inverted conical socket for receiving'one end of a fluorescent lamp, and a top bracket attached'to said sidepiece above said bottom support, said top bracket including a pair of jaws, at least one of said jaws being resilient and curved, the maximum distance between the 'jaws being only slightly greater than the diameter of said .sidepiece above said bottom support, said topbracket including a front 'member, an L-shaped intermediate member slidably mounted on. said front member with one side thereof extending rearwardly, an L-shaped back member having one end slidably mounted on said intermediate mcmber at right angles to the 'slidable movement 'of said'intermediate member, '-means for fastening the other end of said back member to said front member, said front, intermediate and back members gripping said sidepiece thcrebetwccn, .anda pair of jaws mounted .on

said front member, at least one of said jaws being resilient and curved, the maximum distance between the jaws being only slightly greater than the diameter of said lamps and the distance between said jaws at their forward ends being less than the diameter of said fluorescent lamp whereby the upper end of said fluorescent lamp may be gripped between said jaws.

7. In combination with a ladder having a sidepiece, a bottom support attached to said sidepiece a considerable distance from the top thereof, said bottom support having a pair of inverted conical sockets for receiving one end of fluorescent lamps, said sockets being slidably mounted in said support, resilient means for urging said sockets upwardly and a top bracket attached to said sidepiece above said bottom support, said top bracket including a front member, an L-shaped intermediate member slidably mounted on said front member with one side thereof extending rearwardly, an L-shaped back member having one end slidably mounted on said intermediate member at right angles to the slidable movement of said intermediate member, means for fastening the other end of said back member to said front member, said front, intermediate and back members gripping said sidepiece therebetween, a center jaw mounted on said front member, and a pair of resilient side jaws adjustably mounted on said front piece one on each side of said center jaw, the distance between the center jaw and each side jaw at their forward ends being less than the diameter of said fluorescent lamps whereby the upper ends of said fluorescent lamps may be gripped between the jaws.

8. In combination with a structureliaving a side piece, a bracket for supporting a pair of tubular members, said bracket including a front member, an L-shaped intermediate member slidably mounted on said front memher with one side thereof extending rearwardly, an L- shaped back member having one end slidably mounted on said intermediate member at right angles to the slidable movement of said intermediate member, means for fastening the other end of said back member to said front member, said front, intermediate and back members gripping said side piece therebetween, and a pair of resilient jaws mounted on said front member, the distance between said jaws at their forward ends being less than the diameter of said tubular member whereby the tubular member may be gripped between said jaws.

9. In combination with a structure having a side piece, a bracket for supporting a pair of tubular members, said bracket including a front member, an L-shaped intermediate member slidably mounted on said front member with one side thereof extending rearwardly, an L-shaped back member having one end slidably mounted on said intermediate member at right angles to the slidable movement of said intermediate member, means for fastening the other end of said back member to said from member, said front, intermediate and back members gripping said side piece therebetween, a center jaw mounted on said from member, and a pair of resilient side jaws adjustably mounted on said front piece one on each side of said center jaw, the distance between the center jaw and each side jaw at their forward ends being less than the diameter of said tubular members whereby the tubular members may be gripped between the jaws.

10. In combination with a ladder having a sidepiece, a bottom support attached to said sidepiece a considerable distance from the top thereof, said bottom support including two fluorescent lamp receiving sockets, each of said sockets having its upper portion of such dimensions as to readily receive one end of a fluorescent lamp and a lower portion of lesser dimensions to limit the downward movement of said lamp, and a top bracket attached to said sidepiece above said bottom support, said top bracket including a center jaw and a pair of curved resilient side jaws one on each side of said center jaw, the maximum distance between the center jaw and each side jaw being only slightly greater than the diameter of said lamps and the distance between the center jaw and each side jaw at their forward ends being less than the diameter of said fluorescent lamps whereby the upper end of said fluorescent lamps may be gripped between the jaws.

11. In combination with a ladder having a sidepiece, a bottom support attached to said sidepiece a considerable distance from the top thereof, said bottom support having its upper portion of such dimensions as to readily receive one end of a fluorescent lamp and a lower portion of lesser dimensions to limit the downward movement of said lamp, and a top bracket attached to said sidepiece above said bottom support, said top bracket including a pair of jaws, at least one of said jaws being resilient and curved, the maximum distance between the jaws being only slightly greater than the diameter of said lamps and the distance between said jaws at their forward ends being less than the diameter of said fluorescent lamp whereby the upper end of said fluorescent lamp may be gripped between said jaws.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 218,154 Bailis Aug. 5, 1879 361,630 Husband Apr. 19, 1887 367,179 Benton July 26, 1887 900,014 Hennermann Sept. 29, 1908 1,006,361 Daly Oct. 17, 1911 1,547,014 Bantel 'July 21, 1925 1,584,101 Kovarik May 11, 1926 1,903,127 ORourke Mar. 28, 1933 2,054,551 Verone Sept. 15, 1936 2,187,974 Johnson Jan. 23, 1940 2,598,492 Boes May 27, 1952 2,613,051 Baum Oct. 7, 1952 2,783,367 Locke Feb. 26, 1957 2,807,431 McHale Sept. 24, 1957 

